Read Online BOW DOWN: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Barone Crime Family) by B. B. Hamel - Free Book Online Page A

single move.”
    “Why not offer more?”
    He sighed, sipping his drink. “I’ve tried that. I’ve tried threatening, bargaining, everything. I don’t come to you lightly, Wyatt.”
    “I see.” I frowned at him. “What do you want me to do?”
    “Pressure them. Get them to start going after the Spiders more aggressively.”
    “I’m not sure I can manage that.”
    “If not, then find out why they aren’t doing anything. It’s well within your rights.”
    He was right. Inquiring about a dangerous gang wasn’t unusual for someone like me. Even putting some pressure on the chief to get him to make a few moves wasn’t unheard of, and nobody would think twice about it.
    Still though, that was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn’t know if Louisa was actually buying off the cops, or how she was doing it, but I doubted she could match whatever Arturo was offering.
    I didn’t want to help Arturo in this, but I couldn’t let on that I was moving over to the other side. I had an important connection with Arturo, and I couldn’t sever that bond until the very last moment. He couldn’t see the knife until it was already in his heart.
    “I’ll try,” I said to him. “But I can’t promise anything.”
    “Whatever you can do will be appreciated.” He smiled and stood.
    “I’ll pay the chief a visit tomorrow, see what he has to say.”
    “Wonderful.” I stood and we shook hands. “Tell me what you find.”
    “Ethan will be in touch.”
    “Ah, Ethan. Where is our little friend?”
    “Who knows? He comes and goes.”
    “Probably best. A caged beast is the most dangerous.” Arturo walked to the door and I opened it for him. His flunkies stepped away from the walls, their faces grim. “I’ll see you soon, Wyatt.”
    “Goodbye, Arturo.”
    He turned and left down the hall. I shut the door behind him, thinking.
    I wouldn’t betray Louisa, but I had to do something to make Arturo think I was still on his side. As a plan slowly hatched in my mind, I got out my phone and dialed Louisa’s number.
    She didn’t answer. Her voicemail picked up. “Louisa,” I said. “I was just thinking of you. Call me back if you can.” I hung up.
    I went back to my desk and tried to concentrate on work, but something felt like it was crawling around in my mind. I kept coming back to Louisa, to the way she said my name as I fucked her. I wanted to feel that pussy again. I’d been with plenty of women in my life, and none of them left me with a lingering desire for more.
    Until Louisa. There was something so intense and strong about her. It excited me and fascinated me. I wanted to get to the truth of her.
    I wanted to get into business with her.

12

Louisa
    “ S he’s not doing well .”
    I frowned at the pale, thin girl lying on the bed. An IV was connected to her arm, and she was sleeping fitfully. Kasia shook her head, concern clear on her face.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “An infection in her arm. It was pretty advanced when we got her. I’m not sure if we can save her.”
    “Bastards,” I said softly.
    “We’re doing what we can.”
    We left the room and stepped into the hallway.
    “The others?” I asked.
    “We sent ten on their way. The rest want to join us.”
    “Good. Any worthwhile?”
    “Some might make good fighters. We’ll find places for the others.”
    “And have you located any new safe houses?”
    “Two possibilities. Working on a third.”
    “Thank you, Kasia. You’re doing great work.”
    “It’s the least I can do.” We walked side-by-side back toward the elevator. “You haven’t said much about the lawyer yet.”
    I gave her a look. “Wyatt isn’t just a lawyer. He’s a powerful man.”
    “Yes, I know. And powerful men are the ones that do this to these girls.”
    “Wyatt isn’t a rapist and a murderer and a slaver, Kasia.”
    “Probably not.”
    “We can’t win this fight against my father alone. You have to know that.”
    “We’re doing well.”
    “We’re getting